Need Honest answer

2003rn, ASN, RN · Jul 8, 2011

I started in correctional nursing at the age of 49, I am now 54. I love it. I don't think you'd have any problems at all. :[anb]:

lumbarpain, ADN, RN · Jul 8, 2011

Hi, I just wanted to know a little more about it too.....I would like to know a little more in detail what to expect. Is it very physical, lifting pushing, pulling......If you dont mind....thanks again. Lumbarpain

9064 · Jul 14, 2011

Very little lifting in my experience, unless you are on the 'code team'. Even then you can ask an officer to lift for you.

One warning though: In my experience it is a very very negative environment. That's no just the inmates that my coworkers.

Note that I work in a processing prison. If you work in prison that offers a higher level of care things may be different.

Good luck.

chulada77, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Jul 28, 2011

Very little lifting in my experience, unless you are on the 'code team'. Even then you can ask an officer to lift for you.
One warning though: In my experience it is a very very negative environment. That's no just the inmates that my coworkers.
Note that I work in a processing prison. If you work in prison that offers a higher level of care things may be different.
Good luck.

I don't disagree that the prison/jails are "negative" environments but I've noticed that the negativity with burnt out nurses is EVERYWHERE. At least in the jail I have the mindset to expect the namecalling and comments. The hospital that I work at as a prn staff has the same amount of negativity as the prison, so I'll take the prison environment to the hospital setting any day of the week.........

As for your age. Stay fit and ready to work in an environment that you have to show strong physical and mental health status at all times. An IM can spot weakness or changes in your behavior or health quicker than anyone! :idea:

prisonnurse02 · Jul 28, 2011

You would do absolutely fine in corrections. All in all, it's about the "easiest" nursing job I can think of. I'm sure this depends upon what type of facility you work in, but it's certainly less physicially strenuous than med/surg in a hospital or nursing home.

lumbarpain, ADN, RN · Jul 28, 2011

thank you all for your help. I am facing a crossroads in my career and what to see what options are out there for my age. Its not an easy task. thanks again. lumbarpain

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 28, 2011

I worked correction part-time and enjoyed it very much. Not a walk in the park by all means but not as stressful as some hospital floors and I can imagine LTC.

Believe it or not, the actual jail employees.....officers and up the rank were like teenage women. Catty and very gossipy. I just learned to look, listen, smile and keep my mouth shut.

I met my hubby there. He still works there and since we are together they don't allow us to work at the same facility or else I would have kept PRNing at the very least.

Good luck!!

biker nurse · Jul 29, 2011

I love it! I just left LTC after 17 years ( my whole career) for corrections , it has been 2 weeks and I'm loving it. I'm 43 and most of the nurses are older than me, one even came out of retirement , cause she missed it so much. I myself had 3 back surgeries and lifting is only an issue with a chart! lol However, my facility has guidelines and we only take a certian acuity. Good luck!!

katkonk, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2011

Just wondering....Don't you guys have to go out on emergency response to the cell or wherever they are? At the state prisons I have worked at prn, the nurses were the ones that had to grab the stretcher, lift the patient onto the stretcher, and push/pull the stretcher back to the clinic. From the comments above, I am getting that that is not the way it is everywhere. I found the rushing to get to the injured/ill inmate very taxing since I have asthma, and the lifting, well, very few officers would lift a finger to help us.

chulada77, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Aug 3, 2011

Just wondering....Don't you guys have to go out on emergency response to the cell or wherever they are? At the state prisons I have worked at prn, the nurses were the ones that had to grab the stretcher, lift the patient onto the stretcher, and push/pull the stretcher back to the clinic. From the comments above, I am getting that that is not the way it is everywhere. I found the rushing to get to the injured/ill inmate very taxing since I have asthma, and the lifting, well, very few officers would lift a finger to help us.

At my facility the nurses do respond to emergencies and stabilize the patient while waiting for the EMTs to arrive. We are not doing the stretcher, etc because the EMTs do that. Of course we are expected to be able to lift a certain amount to get the job though. Also, we have to be able to run and respond to the emergencies so gotta be able to get up and go!!

prisonnurse02 · Aug 3, 2011

Yes, we do respond to emergencies wherever the inmate is.